Cross-chain hook opener and closer



Oct. .18

I J. CHENOWETH- CROSS CHAIN HOOK OPENER AND CLOSER Filed June '10. 1926Patented Oct. 18, 1927.

1 1,646,346 PATE JESSE CHENOWETI-I, OF EAST SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

The invention relates to devices for facilitating the removal of worn orbroken cross chains from tire chains, and the substitution of new crosschains, and it is the object. of

the invention to provide a device of this character which isexceptionally simple'and inexpensive, yet will be efiicient, rapid, and

very easy to operate.

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novelsubjeotmatter hereinafter described and claimed, the description beingsupplemented by the, accompanying drawing 7 Fig.1 is a perspective viewof the complete device constructed for operation by foot power.

Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged perspective views showing the use of thedevice in opening a hook ofa cross chain to permit removal thereof fromaside chain.

Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views showing the manner in which thedevlce is used to, close the hook of a cross chain after applicationthereof to a side chain.

The form of construction herein disclosed has in actual use proven to bevery efficient, rapid and generally desirable, for which reasons, thedetails herein disclosed may be considered as preferred. However, whilethese details will be hereinafter specifically described, it is to beunderstood that within the scope of the invention as claimed, variationsmay be made and moreover, it may be explained that while the deviceherein disclosed is constructed to be operated by the users foot,provision could be made for actuating it by power.

The numeral 5 designates a standard having supporting legs, saidstandard being preferably formed in part of two long metal bars 6 whosemajor portions are disposed in spaced parallel relation and anintermediate comparatively short bar 7 whose upper end is secured byrivets or the like 8 between the intermediate portions of said bars 6.The lower ends of the bars 6 are curved forwardly and outwardly toprovide a pair of supporting legs 9 and the bar 7 is rearwardly curvedto provide an additional supporting leg, the lowerextremities of all ofthese bars being preferably given a quarter twist. providing feet 10 torest upon the ground or upon a floor.

A verticall elongated, heavy bar 11, as its lower end secured be tweenthe upper ends of the bars 6, by

comparatively Application filed June 10 1926. Serial No. 115,043.:

NT, OFFICE.

rivets or the like. 12, to complete the stand ard structure, the upperfront corner ofthis bar 11 beingprovided with a chisel-like nose 13 andwith a sharpened edge 14 extending rearwardly fromthis nose to the rearedge of the bar, these formations being provided for purposes to appear.

Slidably surrounding the bar 11, is a yoke 15 secured by rivets or thelike'16 to a vertical shank 17 which slidablyengages the rear edge ofsaid bar 11. The upper end of this shank is provided withaforwardlyextending .arm 19 having a downturned front end 2O of'ohisel-like formto slidably engage the front edge of the formation 13, as shown forinstance in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, and the lower edge 21 of said arm 18 ,issharpened for co-action with the edge 14. In the angle between themajor-portion of this arm 18 and its downturned end 20, is a stop22adapted to strike the member 13 to limit the downward movement of'theshank- 17 A rod 23'is shown connected withthe lower end of the shank 17and with a foot lever 24, the latter being positioned between the legs 9and fulcrumed at 25 to the bar or leg 7. suitable spring 26 normallyraises this foot lever and consequently raises the shank 17 and partscarried thereby to the position of Fig. 1. By depressing the foot lever24, however, said shank and parts are downwardly moved. 7

"When the device is to be used for spreading a hook H of a worn orbroken cross chain C, the hook is engaged with the chisellike members 13and 20, in the manner shown in Fig. 2 and then the foot lever 24; isdepressed, causing said members to effectively open the hook as shown inFig. 3. so that it may readily be disconnected from the side chain. Whenthe device is to be used for closing the hook of a cross chain, afterapplication thereof to aside chain,the sharpened edges 14 and 21 comeinto play, as will be clear from Figs. 1 and 5. The hook is engaged withthe edge 14 in the manner shown in Fig. 4 or in a reversed position andwhen lever 24 is depressed, the edge 21 of the arm 18 moves toward saidedge .14

thus closing the hook.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the invention is simple andinexpensive, may be easily manufactured and sold at small cost,- andwill be efficient and rapid in operation. 011 account of such advantagesI V as these, the" details disclosed are preferably followed;Howevenwithin the scope of the invention as claimed, variations may ofof said shankja'hd having" a dov'vnturned 'ehis'el l ilz e nieiiiher(Jo-operable with the fiisrnamed' member to open. the hoolt' of a crosschain, and means for downwardlypullii'ig sa id shank.

2. cliain' tool cdniprising" a standard Having. its up'per end formedby'a rigid upstandirigbar, said bar having ohiseldike member at itsupper endg a shank siid'ahlj agi-iigan edge of said bar andfhaving'aslidably's'nrroiinding thelat ter, anarni projeetiifg laterally" fromthe upper endpf saidsha nlt" and having ado wntilrned chisellike memberco 0peralole with the first named member to open vthe hook, of a crossc'li'ain; cio-eperable oI'i said bar and 'tli arm (iiisaid shank toClose the 110015 of across 'chai'ng aiid means for downwardly pullingsaid shank? i 3. A chain. tool comprising a" standard havingitsupper endfonnedby a rigid upwardly extending bar, said bar having a sharpenedupper edge and an upstanding chisel-like nose, a shank slidahly engagingan edge of said harandhaving a yoke slidably surrounding the latter, anarm pro ecl ing laterally from the upper end of said shank, said armhaving a sharpened-lower edge co-operable With the sharpened upperhaving a down turned chisel-like nieinber (Jo-operable With sa1dupsta1id1ng nose and means for downwardly pulling said' shank.

4. A ehaintool Comprising two vertically disposed parallel bars havingtheir lower ends directed outwardlyto form supporting legs, a third legsecured between the intern'i'ediate' portions of said bars, a relativelyfirst named-bars; a shank having a yoke slld'ably surrounding saidshdrt'whar, said shank having a laterally projecting'niernber coo'perable' with the upper end of said short bar to e'ifect bendingof across chain hook, a foot lever between the first nalned 'legsand pivotedto the third leg, and an operating connection between said foot leverandsaid shank 'fo'r downwardly moving'tlre latter;

In testimony whereof Ihavehereuntoaffixed my signature.

ed e ofsaid upwardly extending bar and l Jnssn oHENoWErH;

short bar seuredbetweentlie u er ends of

